Titles

What is in a name? Especially when it comes to the title of a book?

That can be a dilema. One I wasn't previously aware would be an issue to me, but it is now.

But I'm jumping ahead. Let me back up a bit...

Titles of smaller things, like this blog for instance, have always been kind of fun for me to figure out. I like the clever little numbers, things like the name of my now defunct scrapbooking calendar attempt--"Get Your Scrap Together". Doug came up with that one. I thought it was funny. Probably the only decent thing that came out of that failed business venture, but it was memorable to me. If nothing else, the name--or title--can be fun and entertaining even if the thing it is talking about, well, isn't.

(And yes, I know you have all looked up by now and noticed the lame title for this blog. Ironic isn't it? Almost clever now that you think about it....)

Now I am at a point where I need to come up with the title of a book. Not just any book, but a book I am writing. It is actually a book that two of my sisters have read--so far anyway since it isn't finished yet--and I have asked for their input on a title, but in all honesty even if you HAVEN'T read the book--or even know anything at all about it--anyone could probably come up with a working title for me.

And here is why:

It is an LDS romance type genre novel. Which, in the non-LDS world, means it is an "Inspirational Romance"...in other words, it is a cheesy romance that has no premarital--you-know--and the guy and girl end up together in the end. (And being an LDS romance, I don't mean 'together' in the biblical sense...Can I explain that any more clearly??) With a little testimony builder or spiritual thought thrown in for good measure.

So, for those of you who would like to add your comments today with a lovely list of fun titles for my as yet unfinished novel, here are some ideas of what NOT to do:

Nothing with the words 'heaving', 'desire', 'romancing', or anything about a Duke. This is an LDS work, not a Regency Romance--which any of those words would make people assume a change of venue. Trust me. Regency Romance novels are NEVER mistaken for an Inspirational Romance. Heavy breathing and heaving bosoms are standard in a Regency; Heavy knit-cable sweater weaving and heaving pounds of funeral potatoes are standard in LDS fare.

Nothing implying sadness, despair, or loss of virtue can be in the title. Not because an LDS book won't have those things--albeit that last one would be only implied...never actually discussed--but because I see those words in titles at the library and, frankly, pass the book by. I'm not in the library to find a book that will depress me. I can get depressed just fine at home. Reading is an escape. I want fun, laughter and love. Not something that will make my life look good. (And I say that in the best possible fashion...I get fun, laughter and love at home--but with 7 kids I also get the grief. What fun is escapism if you are just reading about your own life?)

What CAN it have in the title? Hmmm. Let's see:

It can have anything light, chipper, and fun. Something like 'HOLY CRAP!' I like that title. LDS humor. Gotta love it. Plus in all caps it is an attention getter. Someone might wander aimlessly down the aisle at the bookstore and see that title--if YOU were to see it, wouldn't you find your hand suddenly moving on it's own volition and taking that book off the shelf to see what it was about? I would. I might even buy the book for the title. Just because it made me giggle for a moment while I was trying to drag at least 3 kids out of the train section at the Barnes and Noble while hoping the trail of books I just passed really wasn't made by one of the other 4 kids I own...

Is that too much to ask?

Probably.

But go ahead and try. I double-dog dare you.